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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not understand the point of buying second hand for £5 cheaper than new?

23 replies

SpikyCactus · 23/09/2018 22:04

I joined several Facebook selling groups hoping to buy some second hand toys that I can’t afford full price. But they seem to be selling for £5-10 less than full price. Like a £50 item for £45, or a £95 item for £85.

AIBU to not understand the point of buying second hand if you’re only saving a fiver? You’ve got no guarantee, it’ll be in second hand condition and the resale value will probably be less. I’m thinking that for such a small saving I’d be better off just ordering the toy brand new?

OP posts:
MrsStrowman · 23/09/2018 22:07

That sounds like madness, you're better off shopping around for an online discount code and getting it brand new, of its a £10 toy for £5 fair enough, but but the higher prices you describe, you're taking the risk of no returns etc for a five pounds discount when you could lose £45 etc

DorasBob · 23/09/2018 22:08

Yeah, this annoys me too.
Part of the reason to sell things on 2nd hand is to help somebody else out, and prevent waste. It should be a way to recoup all your money, unless the item is rare etc.
Just don’t buy them unless they are reasonably priced, which is 50% or less imo

DorasBob · 23/09/2018 22:09

*shouldnt

Creeper8 · 23/09/2018 22:09

Ive noticed this too. Its funny as you can normally get it cheaper new when its on offer!

Shaboohshoobah1 · 23/09/2018 22:11

My rule is never buy second hand for more than 50% of the retail price. I’m often amazed at what people will try their luck with!

Original poster
SpikyCactus · 23/09/2018 22:25

Not rare items, they’re still for sale and in many cases the seller has linked to the website to show the full price. Imo if you can’t afford £50 then you probably can’t afford £45 either.

I’d be willing to pay maybe £25 for an item worth £50 and take the risk of it not being in great condition or not turning up, or breaking and not being able to return it, etc. But it seems silly to take that risk just to save £5? Was wondering if it’s just me as this stuff is actually selling!

OP posts:
CatsCatsCats11 · 23/09/2018 22:33

Are these wooden toys by any chance?

Original poster
SpikyCactus · 23/09/2018 22:36

@CatsCatsCats11 Yes! They’re lovely and DS absolutely adores them and plays loads with the few he’s inherited from his cousin. But I can’t afford to buy more. Really surprised that they seem to retain 95% of their purchase price on the second hand market.

OP posts:
NonaGrey · 23/09/2018 22:39

I once sold a baby item worth about £20 on eBay. It ended up in a bidding war and the winning bidder paid £18. For a second hand item.

It was in perfect condition but even so, DH and I were quite bemused.

Sparklesocks · 23/09/2018 22:41

I do think a lot of people on fb marketplace type sites don’t have any concept of how much people are willing to pay for second hand items. They’d buy something new 5 years ago for £50 so sell it for £45. Recently I saw someone selling a used copy of ‘what to expect when you’re expecting’ for a tenner, when you can buy a new one on amazon for a fiver etc.
Also people who do ‘collection only’ items for small value items, as if anyone is going to drive 5 miles to buy a second hand kids book for £2.
I think it’s trying your luck and lacking awareness of how people will spend their money.

FusionChefGeoff · 23/09/2018 22:42

Personally, I buy 2nd hand to save filling the planet with more useless crap that will take eleventy million years to decompose.

So I don't mind paying near new price if it means I've reduced waste somewhere.

PippilottaLongstocking · 23/09/2018 22:45

Is it the grimms toys by any chance? Apparently the recommended reselling price is 10-15% less than the full price! And they sell so fast too. But I guess that means you can sell it for the same again when you’re done with it as no one would know you’d bought them second hand not new

CatsCatsCats11 · 23/09/2018 22:46

Thought it may be, Think we may be in the same groups. They have people lining up for them too, ours were bought new for the same reason. I did get one for a bargain the other day but it's unusual.

Original poster
SpikyCactus · 23/09/2018 23:09

@PippilottaLongstocking The Grimm’s toys are so lovely! DS’s older cousin has handed down the 1001 Nights building set and nothing has ever been played with so much. He also has a couple of the Holztiger animals that go everywhere with us. But I can’t afford to buy more. Really expected to save more than 10% second hand. You can save that with a code on some websites if you shop around.

OP posts:
CatsCatsCats11 · 23/09/2018 23:14

We have the holztiger subscription box which saves some money DD loves it arriving each month. Lanka kade are nice and cheaper.

0lgaDaPolga · 23/09/2018 23:18

I know, it’s mad. I’m on a few of the buy and sell groups for baby clothes and people are selling second hand, well worn things for a couple of quid less than they cost brand new. It’s ridiculous.

HelloSnow · 23/09/2018 23:31

as if anyone is going to drive 5 miles to buy a second hand kids book for £2.

I was selling a bundle of items but did add in description I'd be happy to sell £1 per item if someone didn't want all of it.

I got a message, someone wanting one item. Agreed sale but then said they lived half an hour away and could I meet them half way! CF!

headstone · 23/09/2018 23:38

I’ve wondered this too, I’ve wanted to buy a pushchair but the owner wanted almost the price of a new one she quoted the RRP which is slot more than you can buy it on amazon for. I’m looking for buggy boards on eBay and they are also selling for almost the price of new even though the be been used and cut to shape.

Feelshortchanged · 23/09/2018 23:39

I've noticed this too....but I assume as they keep doing it people must be paying it? Another thing that's annoying...locally to us there is a FB group called "things for free in (name of town)" which started off as a recycling site, people offering stuff they would otherwise be taking to the tip. It's now turned into a begging site, and is filled with people asking for free stuff along the lines of "need a new washing machine, must be able to deliver as I have no transport" etc. There are people on there saying they're moving into a new flat and can anyone provide sofas/cookers/fridges etc 😳

malificent7 · 23/09/2018 23:42

I like second hand due to waste reduction but I'd also expect to pay less for it so yanbu in some ways.

Original poster
SpikyCactus · 23/09/2018 23:46

@Feelshortchanged I do wonder if these people get given the stuff they’re demanding? I’m not going to give away something for free if it inconveniences me. Why should I incur the cost of delivering someone a washer when I could stick it out the front and the scrap man will take it?

OP posts:
Original poster
SpikyCactus · 24/09/2018 08:18

Best one yet... item offered for £14 with a web link showing a price of £14.95. Why?! No returns and no guarantee... to save a quid? And seven people offering to buy it at the “discounted” price Confused

Guess I won’t be buying any second hand toys haha.

OP posts:
DixieTrix · 29/09/2018 22:38

I guess sometimes it's about your location. I live on an island so things here on fb sites go for way more than you would think due to scarcity, high p & p costs from online retailers if bought new, less listings for items you are looking for. When I'm on mainland ie England I pick up tons of bargains as lots of similar items being listed. I will only offer what I was prepared to pay regardless of their asking price. I've been cheeky and asked seller if they would accept £5 for something they have a £10 tag on. Quite often it's accepted & they will take it. You've nothing to lose by putting in your offer.

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